Official Synopsis
Fifteen year-old Brigitte Fitzgerald (Emily Perkins) and her nearly-sixteen-year-old sister Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) are both best friends and outcasts. Obsessed with dying, and bound by a childhood pact to stay together forever, they loathe their mind-numbing existence in the suburbs of Bailey Downs. One night, the two girls are heading through the woods when Ginger is savagely attacked by a wild creature.
Ginger’s horrible wounds miraculously heal over, but something is not quite right about her. Ginger is irritable and in denial. But to Brigitte, it is obvious that a terrifying force has taken hold of her sister. She’s convinced that the insatiable craving her sister is experiencing can mean only one thing – Ginger is becoming something unspeakably evil and monstrous.
When you get right down to it, Ginger Snaps is a coming of age film with Werewolves. These are two very separate issues, but blend surprisingly well in this film. The physical transformation into puberty is a lot like turning into a Werewolf I suppose. I will let you think of all the similarities yourselves, but this is the point the film is trying to make, and these themes are portrayed in a unique way that is very entertaining.
Another thing that is unique about this film is the process of turning into a Werewolf. All the traditional rules are thrown out the window here. Lycanthropy is more like a disease that attacks the human body. It doesn’t transform you back and forth because of a Full Moon. You slowly change, and the change is permanent.
Besides turning into a Werewolf, Ginger is turning into a woman. The typical “parents not paying attention to their teenage children” theme is still here, but with a tongue in cheek addition. Instead of not noticing that their kid has a nose piercing, or that they walk in inebriated, they sit oblivious at the dinner table while Ginger displays a set of fangs.
You can’t fault all parents for not noticing certain signs that their progeny is on a path toward death and destruction, but take a look at your child at least once a day. If they are sporting a tail, something is definitely wrong.
This isn’t just a story about physical transformations. The transformation of Brigitte, trapped behind her sister’s shadow, to becoming her own, independent person who quickly outgrows the goth-like/death obsessed teenage attitude. She rises to the occasion and although the movie is titled Ginger Snaps, this is Brigitte’s story.
Video
The blu-ray is presented in 1080p 1.78:1. The transfer is quite good, with little to no noticeable blemishes or defects. The darker scenes are hard to make out, unfortunately, which include a very climactic scene. Despite being a low budget film, the transfer turns out well.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 mixes. The 5.1 mix sounds extremely well. Dialogue is crisp and clear, and the surrounds are utilized generously. The score is fantastic, and gets a well deserved treatment.
Extras
As always, Shout Factory goes all out for the extras, giving us new, in depth looks at everything related to the film.
Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur
This featurette has a lot of new interviews with the cast and crew. The director shares some interesting stories on how the film gained its popularity.
Growing Pains: Puberty in Horror Films
Fans of the horror genre discuss this theme in Ginger Snaps and other films. It’s an interesting topic, and worth a watch.
Audio Commentary with Director John Fawcett
Audio Commentary with Writer Karen Walton
Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by John Fawcett and Karen Walton
Cast Auditions and Rehearsals
Creation of the Beast
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Ginger Snaps has just about everything a fan of the genre could ask for. For those that are fans of the film this is a no-brainer; you aren’t going to get a better treatment than this. For those that haven’t seen it, well, do yourselves a favor and pick it up. In the mass section of Scream Factory titles that Shout Factory has released, this is pretty high up there in the must have category.